Supervisor of the Year

This award recognizes a supervisor who exhibits that unique blend of human relations skills, knowledge of the organization and its mission, and skill in training and leading employees.  Examples include:

• Depth and breadth of knowledge of the functional area, departments and Libraries;
• Ability to apply knowledge, problem-solving skills, and communication skills to facilitate the smooth operation of the department and management of its employees;
• Ability to successfully balance the goals of the Libraries with the individual goals of the employees so that staff feel engaged with their work and are given a sense of appreciation;
• Ability to lead by adapting to advanced technologies, streamlined production goals, new service delivery processes, the introduction of new products and services, and dramatic changes in work processes;
• Ability to assess ambiguous situations and provide reasonable solutions based on knowledge of department and libraries policies and procedures;
• Ability to provide quality training: includes organization of training materials, awareness of different learning styles of trainees, and assessment and evaluation of effectiveness of the training;
• Highly developed communication skills with the ability to successfully and actively engage in the exchange of information and to encourage this activity in supervised staff.

Chandra Jackson - Serials

Chandra is probably one of the few supervisors in existence who could tell an employee to go play in traffic and they would still seek out her delightful presence. Fortunately, she never has to say any such thing because she commands such natural respect and admiration. She is frank and to-the-point in communicating her expectations, but compassionate and fair in hearing any and all feedback. For almost a year, Chandra effectively ran this department as its interim head, even though her official job description and experience level might have suggested that she was under-qualified. Not only did she keep everything afloat while doing the work of two, but she did so without losing the warmth and humor that are her glowing trademarks. She embodies the ideal of the strong-but-benevolent leader who is truly part of the team.

Sheryl Vogt - Russell Library

Sheryl Vogt qualifies as an outstanding supervisor on many levels, namely through her willingness to share her skills and knowledge from her thirty-plus year career at the University of Georgia Libraries and mentor those around her so that they can grow in their positions and serve the Russell Library and the UGA Libraries to the best of their ability. While juggling professional commitments such as being the program co-chair for the Society of American Archivists Annual Meeting and working on the Advisory Committee on the Records of Congress (as well as those required by the development of the new Special Collections building), she maintains time within each working day to discuss any issues that arise at length as well as engage in general office “gab,” both of which create a closer staff and more effective work environment. As a direct supervisor, she can be relied upon to convey the best practice for implementing a project and clarify any ambiguities that might arise but will give her staff ample room to function and learn for themselves so that they may become better archivists. Her emphasis on continuing education and service to the profession is evident in her readiness to lobby for training and the acquisition of new skill sets. Finally, her humor and warmth are the cement that helps hold our department together - from hamming it up for the annual ASSET movie to making our department birthday parties all the more memorable. Sheryl’s contributions as supervisor (and mentor, advocate, and nurturer) make the Library a better place to work.

Robin Fay - Cataloging

1. There’s never been a question I have asked her she didn’t know the answer to and if she was unsure she always checked and got back to me.
2. She always explained things in a manner if I was unsure I had the answer by the end of the explanation of procedures.  
3. If there was anything I needed to do outside of work and it conflicted with a time table for work she always made it happen for me.
4. Sometimes we get very Ambiguous directions for something that needs to be fixed or sometimes no directions at all....yet she always knows what to do with the material.  
5. All in all the point of the matter is this ROBIN ROCKS! (no pun intended) I couldn’t have asked for a better boss and a more understanding one at that.  Robin really is an asset to the library community!

Toby Graham - DLG

Toby is patient, kind, discrete and has a good sense of humor.

Because the DLG interacts with so many different departments and agencies, I think that it is difficult to balance priorities with personalities in a sensitive and conscientious way. I think that Toby has led by example to create a positive office environment and positive, civil interaction amongst the members of our department. I think that each year I have been here, the DLG has become an increasingly more pleasant place to be.

He always offers feedback in a polite and constructive way. If there is a crisis, I do think that Toby really does take things on the jaw, and backs up his staff. It means a lot to know that your boss supports you, and isn't micromanaging complex work when it isn't necessary. Toby really understands when it's time to get granular & in close proximity to finish something very technical and precise on deadline, but he also knows when too much focus can throw off his staff's confidence and productivity.

As in past years, I feel very fortunate to work in the DLG, and for him to be my supervisor.